CAF Appeal Board Member Denies Involvement in Senegal's AFCON 2025 Title Stripping
A member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board has publicly denied any involvement in the controversial decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. This development comes after Senegal was found to have violated tournament regulations by walking off the pitch during the final against Morocco, leading to the title being awarded to Morocco.
Senegal's Title Stripping and Appeal
On March 17, 2026, CAF officially withdrew the AFCON 2025 championship from Senegal, declaring Morocco the winners via a walkover victory. The Appeal Board ruled that Senegal's actions in the final breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which stipulate that any team leaving the field without authorization forfeits the match. Consequently, the result was recorded as 3-0 in favor of Morocco.
However, Senegal has vehemently rejected this decision and has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn the ruling and reclaim their title.
Board Member Distances Himself from Decision
In a viral video shared on social media platform X, Mohamed Robleh Djama, a member of the CAF Appeal Board, stated that he was not part of the deliberations that led to the stripping of Senegal's title. Djama, who is also associated with the Djibouti Football Association, emphasized, "I was neither present nor take part in such deliberations."
His claim has been supported by Souleiman Waberi, president of the Djibouti Football Association, who has called for greater transparency in how the decision was reached. This revelation has raised questions about the procedural integrity of the Appeal Board's ruling.
Composition of the Appeal Board
According to an official CAF document circulating online, the Appeal Board that made the decision was chaired by Justice Roli Daibo Harriman from Nigeria, with Faustino Varela Monteiro from Cape Verde serving as vice-chairperson. Other members included:
- Moez Ben Tahar from Tunisia
- Espoir Asogbavi Komlan from Togo
- Masauko Timothy Msungama from Malawi
Notably, Djama was not listed among these members, lending credence to his denial of involvement.
Fan Reactions and Broader Criticism
The news has sparked widespread reactions from football fans and stakeholders. Many have expressed skepticism about the decision, with some highlighting potential procedural flaws. For instance, one fan commented on social media, "The board has 9 members. Only 5 were present when the decision was taken. So surprising? Where were the others?"
Others have predicted that the CAS will rule in Senegal's favor, citing the CAF's lack of rigor in handling the case. Additionally, prominent figures like Asisat Oshoala, the six-time African Women’s Player of the Year, have criticized CAF and Morocco, insisting that Senegal remains the rightful champion of AFCON 2025.
Implications and Next Steps
This controversy underscores ongoing issues within African football governance, particularly regarding transparency and adherence to regulations. As Senegal pursues its appeal at CAS, the outcome could have significant implications for future tournament rulings and the credibility of CAF's disciplinary processes.
The case continues to unfold, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting the CAS verdict to determine the final resolution of the AFCON 2025 title saga.
